The administration of US President Donald Trump has informed members of Congress that it does not plan to use the allocated $400 million in aid for Ukraine in the current fiscal year. Instead, according to a new plan, the funds will be distributed in stages until 2029.
Pentagon plan and lawmakers' dissatisfaction
According to sources, in May the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) sent a letter to lawmakers outlining the strategy for spending these funds. However, two months after the document was sent, the situation has not changed: the funds have still not been allocated, and contracts for their use have not been confirmed.
Two sources reported that members of Congress are expressing serious dissatisfaction with the proposed schedule. Lawmakers believe that the Pentagon's pace of work is too slow, especially against the backdrop of the ongoing active phase of hostilities in Ukraine.
Deadlines and political context
Reuters clarifies the details voiced in the department's letter. According to the document, the main funds are planned to be allocated during the 2026 fiscal year, which ends on September 30. At the same time, the final transfer of all aid is scheduled as late as September 30, 2029.
This deadline has a special political subtext: Donald Trump's second presidential term ends on January 20, 2029. Thus, if the current plan is implemented, Ukraine may receive the full amount of aid only after Trump leaves the White House.
Criticism and leadership reaction
The situation with delays has sparked a wave of criticism against the military department. At the end of April, Republican Senator Mitch McConnell directly accused the Pentagon of dragging out the process of providing aid to Ukraine.
Against the backdrop of these accusations, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth stated that the department has officially unlocked the $400 million aid package. Earlier, in early June, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also reported that news about new volumes of military support for Kyiv should appear in the near future.
